In 2025, we're working our way through the gospels and invite you to join us as we seek to learn from Jesus. Find all our notes, from this year and past years, at the Faith Food tab. And if you'd like ideas for suggested pacing, download our April calendar. Welcome, friends, we're so glad you're journeying with us. Let's grow together!

Our notes on Matthew 28 include:

An Overview: Topic, Themes, and Summary.
An Outline Of our thoughts and questions.
Exploration Of Jesus' authority.
A Reflection On our emotions.
An Invitation to Respond To partnership with God.

Matthew 28

Forest Way by _Alicja_ at Pixabay

Overview

General Topic

After His resurrection, Jesus' commissions His disciples.

Key Themes

Resurrection. Reunification. Commission.

Summary

The resurrection of Jesus brings confusion, wonder, JOY, fear, doubt, and direction. The women are tasked with spreading the news and gathering the disciples. The guards are tasked with spreading deception. The disciples are tasked with making more disciples.

Outline

? Denotes a question, * a personal thought, ! a connection, and x a cross reference. Researched answers are in italics. *R communicates that in-depth research follows. Behold requires our attention; it marks our partnership with God.

On the Women who Witnessed (Matthew 28:1-10)

As the woman approached the tomb, the earth quaked, a radiant angel rolled the stone away, and sat on it.

? How does scripture describe the apparel of angels elsewhere?
x I looked up and saw someone who was wearing linen clothes and a belt of fine gold. His body shone like a jewel.. His face was as bright as a flash of lightning, and his eyes blazed like fire. His arms and legs shone like polished bronze, and his voice sounded like the roar of a great cloud. Daniel 10:5-6 GNT

The guards were paralyzed with fright.

x I was left there alone, watching this amazing vision. I had no strength left, and my face was so changed that no one could have recognized me. When I heard his voice, I fell to the ground unconscious and lay there face downwards. Daniel 10:8-9 GNT

Behold! The angel told the women to (a) not fear, (b) communicated an understanding of their purpose, (c) alleviated their concern (d) invited them to inspect the evidence (e) instructed them to share the news, (f) and to gather others.

*I can imagine this process being helpful in any of our trials.
*After researching trumpets and God's presence, I now also hear a trumpet blast with every Behold! - Digital Bible

The women quickly obeyed.

*It's interesting to note the range of emotions listed in these few verses: fear, JOY, peace.

Behold! They were delayed by Jesus who offered them peace while they worshipped.

? Why even send the angel when Jesus could have just appeared to them?
While the GNB says "Peace be with you," the KJV says "All hail", the VOICE, "Rejoice", and the NIV "Greetings". *So, it is probably just a form of greeting.

Jesus also asked them to gather His disciples.

On the Soldiers who Witnessed (Matthew 28:11-15)

Some soldiers returned to the city and told the chief priests all that happened.
The priests bribed the soldiers to tell everyone that the disciples stole the body.

*The followers of Jesus were sent to spread truth. Those who don't believe, were sent to spread lies. The same is true today, although many nonbelievers spread lies unwittingly.
The lie the soldiers were sent to tell is truly a terribly unbelievable lie. First, it was uncommon for a grave to be looted and even if it was, they would loot items not bodies. Secondly, the guards' punishment for sleeping - especially in these circumstances - would have been death. Thirdly, even if the guards were sleeping, they would have heard the stone being moved. *This is still true today. We still choose to believe lies that make absolutely no sense over truths we don't want to believe. - NIV, Cultural Background Study Bible

The priests promised to vouch for the guard's innocence to the governor.
This is the report that the Jews continue to believe.

On the Disciples' Reunification with Jesus (Matthew 28:16-20)

The disciples, reunited with Jesus, worshipped Him - although some still doubted.

? What did the disciples doubt? That he had really been risen?

Jesus proclaimed His authority in heaven and earth.

? Since God gave Jesus authority, does that mean Satan no longer has it? *R
x During this vision in the night, I saw what looked like a human being. He was approaching me, surrounded by clouds, and he went to the one who had been living for ever and was presented to him. He was given authority, honour, and royal power, so that the people of all nations, races, and languages would serve him. His authority would last for ever, and his kingdom would never end. Daniel 7:13-14 GNT
x A child is born to us! A son is given to us! And he will be our ruler. He will be called, "Wonderful Counsellor", "Mighty God", "Eternal Father", "Prince of Peace". His royal power will continue to grow; his kingdom will always be at peace. He will rule as King David's successor, basing his power on right and justice, from now until the end of time. The LORD Almighty is determined to do all this. Isaiah 9:6-7 GNT (See our Isaiah 9 notes.)

Jesus told His disciples to keep making new disciples, baptizing them and training them according to Jesus' ways.

? Is baptism akin to a new circumcision?
Baptism served as a symbol of conversion because it was an easily understood expression of a spiritual change. *A connection of body and soul like laying on of hands or communion. - NIV, Cultural Background Study Bible & Love Thy Body

The book concludes with Jesus reminding them He is always with them.

Exploration

If God gave Jesus authority in heaven and on earth, does that mean Satan no longer has it? Matthew 28:18

When Authority was Given to Jesus

In some ways, since the beginning of the world.

In the beginning the Word already existed; the Word was with God, and the Word was God. From the very beginning the Word was with God. Through him God made all things; not one thing in all creation was made without him. The Word was the source of life, and this life brought light to people. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has never put it out. John 1:1-5 GNT

Officially, at the moment of His resurrection. Because, the Son of God is different from the Son of Man. Jesus had to become flesh to die for our sins. Until that happened, the sentence of condemnation was not yet stripped.

Instead of this, of his own free will he gave up all he had, and took the nature of a servant. He became like a human being and appeared in human likeness. He was humble and walked the path of obedience all the way to death - his death on the cross. For this reason God raised him to the highest place above and gave him the name that is greater than any other name. And so, in honour of the name of Jesus all beings in heaven, on earth, and in the world below will fall on their knees, and all will openly proclaim that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:7-11 GNT
which he used (1) when he raised Christ from death and (2) seated him at his right side in the heavenly world. Christ rules there above all heavenly rulers, authorities, powers, and lords; he has a title superior to all titles of authority in this world and in the next. God (3) put all things under Christ's feet and (4) gave him to the church as supreme Lord over all things. The church is Christ's body, the completion of him who himself completes all things everywhere. Ephesians 1:20-23 GNT

When Satan was cast out of power.

Now is the time for this world to be judged; now the ruler of this world will be overthrown. John 12:31 GNT
I was with you in the Temple every day, and you did not try to arrest me. But this is your hour to act, when the power of darkness rules. Luke 22:53 GNT

What Jesus is Authorized to Do

To mediate between God and us because He is the Son of Man in whom all fulness of God dwells mightily.

For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus I Timothy 2:5 KJV
For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Colossians 2:9 KJV

To defy death.

Just as the Father is himself the source of life, in the same way he has made his Son to be the source of life. And the has given the Son the right to judge, because he is the Son of Man. Do not be surprised at this; the time is coming when all the dead will hear his voice and come out of their graves: those who have done good will rise and live, and those who have done evil will rise and be condemned. John 5:25-29 GNT (See also Revelation 1:18.)
For you gave him authority over all humanity, so that he might give eternal life to all those you gave him. And eternal life means knowing you, the only true God, and knowing Jesus Christ, whom you sent. John 17:2-3 GNT.
For Christ died and rose to life in order to be the Lord of the living and of the dead. Romans 14:9 GNT

To judge.

And the has given the Son the right to judge, because he is the Son of Man. John 5:27 GNT
And he commanded us to preach the gospel to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God has appointed judge of the living and the dead. Acts 10:42 GNT

To grant you authority

Go, then, to all peoples everywhere and make them my disciples: baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and teach them to obey everything I have commanded you. And I will be with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:19 GNT
and you have been given full life in union with him. He is supreme over every spiritual ruler and authority. Colossians 2:10 GNT

To do whatever God can do.

The Father loves his Son and has put everything in his power. John 3:35 GNT (See also John 13:3)
The Father and I are one. John 10:30 GNT

Where Jesus Reigns

In the lives of anyone, Jew or Gentile, who is born of God.

We know that none of God's children keep on sinning, for the Son of God keeps them safe, and the Evil One cannot harm them. We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One. We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God - union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life. I John 5:18-20 GNT
At that time you were apart from Christ. You were foreigners and did not belong to God's chosen people. You had no part in the covenants, which were based on God's promises to his people, and you lived in this world without hope and without God. But now, in union with Christ Jesus, you who used to be far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. Ephesians 2:12-13 GNT

Not in the life of unbelievers.

They do not believe, because their minds have been kept in the dark by the evil god of this world. He keeps them from seeing the light shining on them, the light that comes from the Good News about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4 GNT
"My Father has given me all things. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Matthew 11:27 GNT (See our Matthew 11 notes.)

Although, He will judge everyone.

Now, as for those enemies of mine who did not want me to be their king, bring them here and kill them in my presence! Luke 19:27 GNT
Whoever does not remain in me is thrown out like a branch and dries up; such branches are gathered up and thrown in to the fire, where they are burnt. John 15:6 GNT

What Satan is Authorized to Do

Only what God allows.

"I will give you all this power and all this wealth," the Devil told him. "It has all been handed over to me, and I can give it to anyone I choose. Luke 4:6 GNT
"All right," the LORD said to Satan, "everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself." So Satan left. Job 1:12 GNT
I cannot talk with you much longer, because the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, John 14:30 GNT *And when we're in union with Jesus, Satan also has no power over us.

His power in your life was silenced on the cross because he can no longer accuse you of unforgiven sin.

You were at one time spiritually dead because of your sins and because you were Gentiles without the Law. But God has now brought you to life with Christ. God forgave us all our sins; he cancelled the unfavourable record of our debts with its binding rules and did away with it completely by nailing it to the cross. And on that cross Christ freed himself from the power of the spiritual rulers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them by leading them as captives in his victory procession. Colossians 2:13-15 GNT
But you belong to God, my children, and have defeated the false prophets, because the Spirit who is in you is more powerful than the spirit in those who belong to the world. I John 4:4 GNT

*Thoughts: 🎵Over all Jesus reigns🎶: in heaven, on earth, and in your life. He has absolute authority over Satan, but you must allow Him to reign. If we are blinded by this world, we won't see Christ.

The Song I'm Singing: "King of Glory" by Passion: 🎵Nations bow / Mountains shake / At the sound / Of just one name / Over all / Jesus reigns / I know🎶

Reflection

I imagine we all have positioned ourselves in this scene of finding the Jesus' tomb empty, of feeling the earth shake and the stone rolled away, of encountering an angel bright as lightning and seeing Jesus - once dead but now alive - telling us not to fear. What a roller coaster of emotions.

Grief is how it begins. The One you put all your hope in is lost. Dead. Murdered. Tears stream down your face as you force yourself to accept this new reality: you have to go through life without Him. You approach His tomb, as you have each morning, to grieve your loss, to tend to His body. The earth shakes.

Unsettled by the trembling ground, you take a moment to regain equilibrium and notice the stone is rolled away.

Confusion hits hard. How?

Before you can put the pieces together, a bright presence speaks words you want to believe, but are beyond anything you could hope for: "He, the One your soul loves, is not here. He is risen. Come, see the place here He laid."

In disbelief, shaking, yet hopeful, you enter the dark tomb. The light streaming in reveals its emptiness. You cry out and fall to your knees. "He is risen!"

As your mind works to make sense of the implications, the angel instructs you to "Go! Share the news. Gather the disciples."

You spring to your feet with joyful purpose, then wonder, "How will they take it? Will they believe? How do I convince them?"

Lost in thought, your Beloved's voice sings, "Peace," and you know peace. Falling at His feet in worship, He repeats your commission. As you walk in your mission, His words set the tempo, fill your heart, calm your spirit, rein in your thoughts: Do not fear.

May His words likewise set the cadence for our own faith-filled lives. He is with us, always.

Respond

Connect

God partners with us. His Plan A is us; there is no Plan B.

Reflect

How am I partnering with God in my life? What does beholding Him look like in my work? My relationships? My home? My free time? My commitments? My finances?
Who am I discipling? Who is discipling me?
What do I fear in my walk with Christ? Who am I giving authority to? Draft a prayer to overcome it and keep it handy so you can pray it in a moment's notice.

Act

Arise, partner with God in every moment.
Arise, disciple others and be discipled.
Arise, fear no evil; He is with you.

The Song I'm Singing: "Control" by Tenth Avenue North 🎵God You don't need me / But somehow You want me / Oh how You love me / Somehow that frees me / To take my hands off of my life / And the way it should go🎶

In Closing

Father God, You ask me to work with You. What an opportunity! As I shake the lie that I am not good enough and renounce the fear that I will only let You down, teach me to walk BOLDLY in Your resurrection power as I share the good news of who You are. Show me where I keep You out so You can shape every part of me. Guide me in discipling others and break down my opposition to being discipled, because what we really need is You, Lord. We find You in togetherness. Keep us close so we can continuously remind each other of the splendor of You: the King of heaven and earth.

Sample these related posts:

Matthew 27 | The Wolfe Notes

Review our Matthew 27 notes. Includes an outline of our thoughts, an exploration of when to speak and when to remain silent, a reflection on reactions, and an invitation to respond to a faithful God.

Matthew 19 | The Wolfe Notes

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Matthew 28 | The Wolfe Notes